The danger of our language around food

One of the popular messages I hear from moms is this - “Kanna, I really don’t want my kids to go through the food/body issues I have. I want them to have a happy relationship with food and body, but I don’t know how while I’m still in food prison and don’t love my body! What do I do??”

And I say…”Congratulations! You already took the very important first step!”

I want to celebrate them for wanting a healthy relationship with food & body for their kids.  Without this recognition, the language from unconscious levels can be damaging toward kids (as even if you're conscious, it’s not easy to use the mindful language toward what/how you eat and how your/others body looks).

I’ll never forget the moment a casual conversation did to me.

Trying so hard to get into a new leather riding boot at 14, my instructor said “your calf is too big, it’s never going to fit you, you’ve got to do something about your body, and riding skills, too if I may add” and everyone in the room laughed at me hard. 

My excitement toward my first new leather boots turned out to be a huge disappointment.  I had no idea that words could hurt me so much.  It hurt me more than falling from a galloping horse and the pain stayed in me for too long. 

I developed many kinds of eating disorders and used most of my attention/energies/time/money toward them in my teens and early 20s.

⁣I could have traveled.  I could have taken a course.  I could have done so many other fun things, but I didn’t.  I felt like I wasted all those years.

So when you tell me that you want to create a loving food/body environment for your kids, I bow to you!  As a mom of 2, it means SO MUCH that my kids stay healthy and have a happy relationship with food and their body.  So far, it’s working and they feel empowered by the decisions they make.

This comes through a daily loving conversation toward food and body. 

They never hear me say “I’m going to be BAD and eat whatever BAD food I want” or “This dress makes me look fat”.

Why?  Because they’re listening more than we think, and what Mom says means SO MUCH to them. The messages Mom says are to be ingrained in them and those unwanted messages become their norm one day. 

If you want to work on your languages around food/body for your kids - it’s never too late.

I know it can feel daunting, but it’s all worth it for you and your kids.

👉🏼Here’s your next step if you’re seriously wanting to change the language around food/body and give the food freedom and body respect for your kids.  NOTICE what YOU say around YOUR body and things YOU eat.

What are you saying when putting on a pair of pants in front of kids?  What do you say when you reach out to the 3rd slice of pizza?

If you start saying “I love how I look in the pants”, or, if it’s still difficult to believe, “I love the design of the pants (anything positive you can find around them)”, “this pizza is so delicious and I’m going to enjoy my 3rd slice, yum!” - Indirectly, you can guide your kids to see the positive sides.

If you’re ready for help creating healthy food/body language in your family while breaking free from your emotional eating habits, check out the link for my 1:1 VIP Coaching Program Info. I know how to go from being in a food prison/hating body to having food freedom/respecting the body, and guiding your kids to do the same!